Dynohubs: VeloCharger vs B&M USB-werk

[geomannie]

I am thinking of buying one for a forthcoming camping tour & am looking at 2 models:

1 ADEPT ELECTRONICS VeloCharger Mk2 https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m12b0s208p2 ... R-USB-Werk, currently £75 & seemingly with all connectors

2 BUSCH & MULLER USB-Werk https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m12b0s208p3 ... Hub-Dynamo, currently at £82 with no connectors

Has anyone experience of either, or indeed of a dynamo-USB charging devices in general you can share?

Basically, if the above devices are a muchness in terms of performance, I would go with the £75 B&M simply on price.

Thanks

[Jdsk]

I suggest starting with "Charging on tour":
viewtopic.php?t=149863

On the VeloCharger:
search.php?keywords=velocharger

On the E-WERK:
search.php?keywords=e-werk

Yes, there are some general issues that I wish I'd known about before I went down this route. Including:

1 Some devices, including my Garmin satnav, don't like running/ charging off the supply from the dynamo.

2 So the dynamo now charges a a USB battery pack (and the lights), and the battery pack then charges everything else. But for our style of touring, which includes some serviced campsites and some hotels and restaurants, the battery pack can be charged from other people's mains.

And the combination of those two might make USB charging off the dynamo unnecessary, and you might be able to get away with one or two USB battery packs and nothing off the dynamo.

Jonathan

PS: And on specific devices: I'd strongly recommend NOT buying the B+M headlamp with the built-in USB charging.

[Mtb tourer]

Have a look a the Revolution usb charger, its been perfect. It's waterproof and the USB contacts are gold plated, others are liable to self-destructive as water and a current eats away the metal especially Al contacts.

[freiston]

I've posted on this subject before - probably in those threads linked to above by Jdsk, but the short version is:

I use a Cycle2Charge (cheap) - it does the job and hasn't let me down. I only charge powerbanks from the dynamo - excepting mains charging opportunities, all devices are charged from the powerbanks (might be less efficient but it doesn't have problems like direct charging can). I use two powerbanks - this gives a bigger reserve and allows me to top one up whilst using the other to, e.g., top up my phone (pass-through charging is often not supported by powerbanks and even where it is, I suspect it might not be kind on the cells). The bigger reserve of two powerbanks also means that I can take advantage of available mains charging more and my dynamo charging becomes less critical.

[geomannie]

Thanks folks, some ideas to mull over. It doesn't make my decision any easier, but at least I am better informed.

Cheers

[Jdsk]

Not sure if you've spotted in the other threads how the calculation works out for us, and as the threads haven't been merged:

A 16,000 MA h USB battery pack can charge all of our devices for several days. (Two iPhones, Garmin Edge 1000, audio headbands, Kindles.) Having two output sockets can help.

and

If you have two battery packs then one can be charged while the other is being used.

...as freiston noted above.

Jonathan

[geomannie]

Not sure if you've spotted in the other threads how the calculation works out for us, and as the threads haven't been merged:

A 16,000 MA h USB battery pack can charge all of our devices for several days. (Two iPhones, Garmin Edge 1000, audio headbands, Kindles.) Having two output sockets can help.

and

If you have two battery packs then one can be charged while the other is being used.

...as freiston noted above.

Jonathan

Thanks

Yes I did notice, but where I am going there may or may not be opportunities to charge a battery pack. Still mulling over the options.

Cheers

[rogerzilla]

If you're charging power banks, also consider a solar panel on top of your rear luggage. No drag, it keeps charging when you're stopped, and it's a comparable price. It doesn't charge at night, obvs.

[geomannie]

Thanks all,

The discussion here has been very useful. I am now considering a power bank. The weight is not dissimilar to a charging device but it is so much simpler to use. Also less insecure equipment to potentially be left on an unattended bike. A solar panel maybe, but a large power bank would in theory give me hopefully a week's supply & thus would suffice with on a recharge or 2 on my planne tour, which should be possible.

Cheers